WDW Lilly Belle

[Steve DeGaetano]

OK. I was wondering about the frame crossmember under the cab. It looks a bit thick for solid plate, or did they use rectangular tubing for some reason?

Crossmembers? There really aren't any crossmembers. Except the pilot and tail beam. And occasianally some spring rigging.

[Roy]

OK. I was wondering about the frame crossmember under the cab. It looks a bit thick for solid plate, or did they use rectangular tubing for some reason?

Crossmembers? There really aren't any crossmembers. Except the pilot and tail beam. And occasianally some spring rigging.

There's a crossmember in the form of a plate under the rear of the cab.

[Steve DeGaetano]

There's a crossmember in the form of a plate under the rear of the cab.

I suspect you're referring to the rear cab support bracket, which is represented by a long rectangle under the rear cab wall.

You can sort of see it here:



Yes, this is the Walter, but the cab details are essentially the same.

Steve's may be a little thick, but that can be easily changed.

[Steve]

This picture might show it a little better:



I still have some detail to show in that area, and it probably won't be anywhere near the detail of the real thing.

I have thought that once I have my plan drawn, it would be great to be able to compare it up close with the real thing. (hint, hint)

[Steve DeGaetano]

Yep, that's a better picture. The only "crossmember" is what looks like a gray block next to the brass hose fitting.

[IDMT129]

Also, do WDW engines use tension rods on their cowcatchers, like those on the Holliday?

All the pilots on the WDWRR appear to be Ripley or Gurley style, not CK old west style. I would assume Lilly Belle is the same way, but Lilly was not on property to first hand examine.

[Steve DeGaetano]

Also, do WDW engines use tension rods on their cowcatchers, like those on the Holliday?

No, they don't. They don't need to, since the pilots are cast metal.

[IDMT129]

Steve, what exactly is the purpose of the tension bar on the pilot. The engines are pulled (towed) by the hitch. So is CK's purely decorative. I noticed the 1/8th Lilly Belle has one too, but Marsh does not.

[Steve DeGaetano]

Steve, what exactly is the purpose of the tension bar on the pilot. The engines are pulled (towed) by the hitch. So is CK's purely decorative. I noticed the 1/8th Lilly Belle has one too, but Marsh does not.

The purpose is simply to keep the long Holliday pilot from drooping. All the other pilots are much shorter, and wouldn't need them.

Some Central Pacific engines (like CP 173, natch) had them, which is why the Holliday has them. I don't see why they would not function as intended.

[Roy]

The purpose (of the Holliday-style tension rod) is simply to keep the long Holliday pilot from drooping. All the other pilots are much shorter, and wouldn't need them...

This doesn't make much sense to me. The tension rods act through a very short moment arm. They appear to do little more than help keep the elements of the cowcatcher together.